14th April 1916
Arthur has had a busy day of letter writing and sorting out the paperwork for his new draft of 24 men; his recent toothache has been cured by an application of carbolic; Arthur has no news to report of the recent court martial – being relieved from duty before the case ended; Dollie writes and asks Arthur what he would like for his birthday [at the end of the month he will be 23] – the answer is obvious!
Arthur to Dollie
Friday morn. 8.40
… Two dear letters came yesterday dear, Sunday evening & Monday… I will answer your letters after parade this morning.
Yesterday dear, I was busy; parade all the morning: then some clerical work to do. After lunch a draft of 100 turned up, including our drummers. So that involved a certain amount of work. 24 were allotted to my Coy. After tea we had to go down to R- for a lecture by the Brigade Major – that took up till dinner. After dinner I felt so tired that I turned in at once. Daddy Lewis came to dinner. He is very fit and fat…
Friday even. 7pm
Your dear letter of Tuesday came to-day: thanks a thousandfold. I just love to get your dear letters; and to-day I was extra pleased, for I’ve had a long day, doing clerical work and have not been out at all.
Anyway, darling, since this morning I’ve found opportunity to write to Joe, & to Fr. Mc., to Daisy and to another man about a range-finder; also to get the draft done for the Pater. I’m glad for I’ve been worrying over these things & my work the last few days has pressed me close.
To-day has been another day of wind & rain. This morning my bombers were on one parade, my latest draft were under the regimental Serj-Major: so that I only had 17 left for my parade out of 188 – the strength of my Company. So they went for a route march with D Company. I have been busy all day, getting my rolls &c up to date. I have still a lot to do, I’m afraid, but hope gradually to clear it off. Brady came back to-day: he came in this afternoon and told me how he had rung you up. Lucky chap. I seemed to feel a sudden tangible connection, just like an electric shock, to see one who had spoken to you, even across the ‘phone.
My tooth, thank you, dear, is pretty well all right. The temporary Doctor put some carbolic on it, & did it an awful lot of good.Wilcox apparently is on his way up – he wrote to Lloyd from Rouen on the 7th to say that he’d be along in a few days. Eddie Hoare will probably go up to where we were in the old days at Laventie. I don’t know what happened in that Court-Martial that I was on, dear; I was relieved before it ended. It was some trouble in an ASC bus Coy – some conspiracy on the part of the men, from what one could gather.
Now, dear heart, about my birthday. You generous little soul; there is only one thing I want in this world, and that I want with all my heart & soul – that’s you, dear, queen of my heart, my helpmate for ever, that I love with all my love. God bless you…